In Partnership with Sydney Symphony Orchestra
There’s usually a good reason for a song to be re-released, and The Cat Empire’s reimagining of “Bulls” is no exception. The band has teamed up with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to reinvent the iconic track, not only for its 10th anniversary, but as part of a bigger project to celebrate one of the band’s most memorable live performances to date.
“Bulls – Live at Sydney Opera House” — released on March 16 — captures The Cat Empire’s highly celebrated 2024 concert collaboration with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, while also amping fans up for their encore concerts later this year.
“This version really reinvents what it was,” lead vocalist Felix Riebl said of the new “Bulls” track in a Spotify promo video. “And it’s a testament to one of my favourite shows that I’ve ever done with the band.”
While it’s a trip down memory lane, the new release takes on a completely new form that reflects the band’s mix of different global influences — think the OG Afro-Cuban fun, but with the power and impact of a bold new orchestral arrangement. This combination is also true for their encore Sydney Symphony Orchestra shows returning to the Sydney Opera House this August, with the new arrangements of the classics written specifically for this collaboration.
Following on from their early days on club circuits and festival lineups, The Cat Empire’s work with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra feels spot-on for the creatively and culturally diverse outfit, reinterpreting their catalogue — mixing Afro-Cuban, Seychellois Creole, Brazilian, and flamenco influences — to go even further musically with a full orchestra. While The Cat Empire’s tunes can be beautifully unpredictable, one thing’s for sure: every performance they deliver is a whole load of fun, and the encore Sydney Opera House shows will be no exception.
For anyone who’s been in the audience of a Sydney Opera House concert, or, more specifically, a Sydney Symphony Orchestra performance inside the magnificent Concert Hall venue, the unique kind of magic these collaborations bring can’t easily be explained. If you missed out on the 2024 shows, it’s also a great opportunity to see The Cat Empire as you’ve never seen them before.
Led by Riebl’s instantly recognisable vocals, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for the eclectic band, with a heavy roster of live shows, almost 23 years since The Cat Empire released their debut album back in 2003. The Cat Empire kicked things off with the Red Hot Summer Tour alongside other Australian greats like Missy Higgins and Paul Kelly, and will close out the year with a South American tour.
In between, of course, are their 2026 Sydney Symphony Orchestra concerts, heading to the Sydney Opera House this August 27, 28 and 29, and featuring world-class flamenco artists Arte Kanela alongside a large choir.
If you can’t make the concerts, you can listen to the 2024 concerts that started it all. The entire 18-song Live at the Sydney Opera House album drops on May 22, 2026 — including “Bulls – Live at Sydney Opera House”, The Cat Empire’s most-streamed song “Two Shoes”, and favourites like “Still Young” and “Lost Song”.
Book tickets for The Cat Empire’s unforgettable performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra now from $105.
